It was that time of the year again, jingling bells, merry
rides, magical moments, light beaming streets (we both know that doesn’t happen
here in Nigeria, just to add colour to my story) more importantly we just
finished our first term exam, so it means only one thing to me, football and
computer games. Most people don’t come to school after exams, but I will rather
spend time with my friends than do any other thing at home.
I got to school late, about the same time the punctuality
prefect made his entrance too, went to the classroom to say hi to the girls and
some guys who had somehow miraculously turned a real classroom to an Olympic
indoor games hall, table tennis, chess, card games, were all in session. I
wasn’t cut out for any of those gay sports (no offense) so I just went straight
to where my footballing skills are needed. Being a catholic school it felt a
bit Christmassy with all the decorations and the ambience of Christmas songs
from the convent, teachers wishing themselves a merry Christmas and the noise of
different classes and groups preparing for the Christmas carol.
The boys had already started playing, so I had to chill till
someone got tired or injured, boys in my school hardly get tired doing what doesn't involve a paper and a pen, even when they are tired they don’t admit so I was praying someone
gets injured, while praying for a poor tackle, a junior ran to the field and
told me the choir master needs my attention with two other guys, we went to wherever
he was and found other girls there, he then read out the letter qith him .The school has been
invited to a singing competition by a sister school in the state capital, the
shock of it all was that it was the next day.
We helped ourselves into an empty classroom and brainstormed
on what song to sing, if we were going to get any award at the competition, it
was for sure going to be most uncoordinated singing group. After series of
arguments that lasted for almost 30mns, we chose popular Christmas hymns, joy
to the world and come all ye faithful. We couldn’t rehearse on that day, so we all agreed to come to school early the next day.
in two''s we made way into the classroom e had previously met and sang the song the
way a church congregation will sing recessional hymn, It was so embarrassing
that someone suggested we boycott the competition. As horrible as we sounded we
had exceptionally good singers, so we decided to come up with a new concept. we told the
conductor to be as energetic and abnormal as possible, if our singing will embarrass us, let our attitude and other things
honor us. that was the spirit.
We loaded ourselves in the bus and rehearsed throughout the
trip, no vehicle driver dare not take a second look on overtaking. We got
to the place in one piece, a little on time according to the invitation, but
too early according to what we met on ground, the microphones were still being
tested, so we had time to mingle with other students. After a while the
programme went underway, I took a look at my fellow school mates and i could
see fear and anxiety hanging out of their eyes. As the schools performed, I couldn’t help
but compare the situation to films I’ve seen in the past, fighting temptations,
sister’s act, as these thoughts creeped into my mind, i felt someone push me and say let's go rehearse for the last time were told we will be
performing after the sermon, and the epiphany was almost done. Quickly we went
to a corner and rehearsed, as seniors, we told our
juniors not to be scared “(shaky voice)just let us go and have fun there, it is
not the end if we don’t win” it was obvious my speech just made them more
scared. The MC called our school and we found our way to the stage.
The moment I faced the crowd, all my fears diluted, we sang
as if our lives depended on it, the soloist was on point, the drummer was perfect
and our move left, move right dance wasn’t that bad too. The feedback we got
from the audience was amazing, the ovation was deafening though only a few
stood. We could just have walked up to the judges to collect our first place prize.
When the winners were announced, we knew we were going to
get one, not necessarily first, they called the first two and it wasn’t our school,
it was down to the first place position. Have you ever wondered why all
participants in a competition are always scared when it gets to this part? Well,
its because its either you are the winner or not. AND THE WINNER IS…………..(MC CLEARS THROAT) SAINT ANTHONY CATHOLIC HIGH
SCHOOL, come and see jumping, clapping and hugging, it was an amazing
experience. As we were handed the trophy, one of the judges said it wasn’t our
singing that made us win but the concept we came with, he said we were
different from every other school that performed.
Thanks for reading. Merry Christmas and happy new year
